Nelson and Cobb shooting for Saturday

Jan. 10, 2013

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There’s no question in Mike McCarthy’s mind Randall Cobb will play during Saturday’s NFC Divisional playoff game against San Francisco.

Jordy Nelson? He’s feeling fine, too.

So while the pair of Green Bay Packers’ wide receivers continue to occupy the team’s injury report for one reason or another, both appear likely candidates to dress against San Francisco.

Both Nelson (ankle) and Cobb (illness) returned to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday after sitting out of Wednesday’s session and were visible throughout.

Battling his way back from a recent flu bug, McCarthy said Cobb took all of his intended snaps while continuing to alternate kickoffs with first-year wide receiver Jeremy Ross, whom he split kickoff and punt return duties with last week.

Meanwhile, Nelson worked out individually before taking part in the first-team offense walk-through.

“We had a period of the last eight plays of the game, in particular vertical routes and the down and distance drives, the third downs, the fourth downs and all those types of things,” McCarthy said. “And then we had the one period where you work on some of your vertical game and he had two vertical balls. So I thought he looked pretty good.”

After setting career-highs with 68 receptions, 1,263 yards and 15 touchdowns last year, Nelson missed four games this year because of a hodgepodge of ankle, knee and hamstring injuries.

Two weeks ago, Nelson left the regular-season finale against Minnesota with a knee injury before returning when Jarrett Boykin injured his ankle. In last week’s wild-card rematch with the Vikings, he played only 19 snaps before exiting late with the ankle.

“It has its positives and negatives,” said Nelson of sitting out late in the season. “You want to be out there. I’ve been in the training room too much this year. I want to practice as much as possible. But you have to make sure you’re ready to go come game time and that’s what we were able to do.”

Boykin, the third wide receiver on the injury report, was one of two players to not participate in Thursday’s practice, but was present and holding his helmet. McCarthy said afterwards he’s getting better, but won’t be back this Saturday.